Eurasian
Oystercatcher
are a typical bird of coastal Norway. In Øygarden they are
very
much a migrant and are one of the first to arrive back - usually in the
second half of February. Small numbers may overwinter in some years but
the vast majority leave in August / September and either stay or pass
through the British Isles. I have found two rings from Oystercatchers
in Eagle Owl nests and both were ringed on the south coast of England.
These are long lived birds - one of the rings I found showed that the
bird had lived for at least 30 years!
During the spring huge numbers pass north on their way to their
breeding grounds, usually following the coast - this is one of the
first migration "spectacles" of the year.
For details of migration past Skogsøy SW Norway click
here
For numbers at Stag Rocks, Northumberland, UK click here
Tjeldstø,
June 2010
Eurasian
Oystercatcher,
Tjeldstø, Øygarden, June 2008
Picture taken with DSLR and 400mm telephoto lens
Above and below: Young Oystercatcher at the Kollsnes Gas plant,
Øygarden.
Several species of wader breed in relative safety in this fenced off
area - a rare case of industry actually seeming to benifit the birds by
protecting them from disturbance.
First year Oystercatcher, Nautnes, September 2018
(Digiscoped)
Eurasian
Oystercatcher,
Tjeldstø, Øygarden, 12 June 2006
